Social initiative “New for the elderly” – Women’s association “Lav”
As part of the project “Reintegrate II – Further support for sustainable (re)Integration of returnees in Serbia,” support is being provided to social initiatives in the regions where the project is implemented: Raška, Rasina, and Pirot.
In Pirot, two initiatives have been supported, one of which is the “New for the elderly” project, implemented in collaboration with the Women’s association “Lav” from Pirot.
According to an analysis by the Women’s association “Lav,” the most vulnerable residents of Pirot and its surroundings are those over 65 years old, especially from rural areas. The elderly often face loneliness and social isolation, chronic illnesses, dementia, difficulties with daily activities, minimal or no income, disability, and violence.
They lack information about their rights and need psychosocial and health support, which is often inaccessible due to their lack of information, as well as their physical and mental state.
The objectives of the “New for the Old” social initiative include:
- Digital literacy and enhancing digital competencies as a way to involve older individuals in today’s society in a more participatory manner.
- Increasing public awareness about the status and social needs of individuals over 65 years old.
- Improving the quality of social services and making them more accessible to a large number of potential beneficiaries through informative and educational work.
The goal of the “New for the elderly” project is to provide older individuals with as much concrete information as possible about available support and benefits they can access, to advance digital literacy and the use of new technologies, and to create a support network consisting of individuals and institutions with credibility and reputation in the local community, along with a media campaign to raise awareness on this important issue.
The public campaign during the project’s implementation will inform the public about the status of elderly people and the need to improve the quality of life for those over 65 years old. The ultimate goal of all these activities is to enable older individuals to remain in their environment for as long as possible while maintaining their quality of life and dignity.